Archive | November, 2015

“Just remove the three bolts on the cap and drop in the new membrane” said the Sea Recovery representative last month at the boat shot when asked about the process for replacing the membrane. With no written instructions, because they do not exist, we decided to charge ahead with installing our new membrane. 10 minutes into the job we were flummoxed because the end cap would not come off. We took photos and surfed the web for a solution, which is our usual response to any boat problem. I hope I never have to google “what to do when a axe murderer boards your boat”. Stumped by the stuck end cap we called Beard Marine, seller of our membrane, and they talked me through the next steps. Take a random screw in your collection and screw it into the membrane cap. Then, pull hard on the screw with plyers and swear many times. The second part I added, but it seems to help a bunch. Oops, the cap won’t slide any farther because I need to remove the high pressure inlet and the pressure sensor. This maneuver requires adept manipulation of your wrench and more swearing. Victory was declared as the cap slid out and the membrane followed. Half-way done or half-way to hell. The membrane is about 3 feet long and the locker does not have enough space for the membrane removal. I rerouted some wires for more space but it was still not enough. I then removed the bracket holding the membrane and with Gail’s help the membrane was freed. Many high fives and confirmations that we are luminaries of the boating industry.
Our hubris was heard by the boat gods and failure came quickly. We had forgotten the orientation of the membrane but a quick call to the folks at Beard Marine again got us back on track. This was phone call number two; I hoped they were not counting. To aid the insertion of the membrane we removed the rack that holds the emergency tiller and snuck the membrane into position. More self congratulation and immediate punishment. The cap would not slide all the way back in. Hammer. Hammer Harder. Hammer harder. Swear. Have a time out.
I then realized that my hammering has misaligned the bracket holding the membrane. Despair lasts for a short time as fixing this was only a 15 minute road bump.
I did not want to hammer too much harder since the membrane is a pricey boat part. So I decided, with Gail’s approval, that removing the output side’s end cap would allow inspection of any hazard preventing the reseating of the membrane. The output cap is located in a mandatory advanced boat yoga location. I gave up on the double pretzel but Gail removed the output hose and moved the end cap back.
Will this ever end? I should have never started this project. But just as quick as hell came it left. I changed hammers to a rubber mallet and the end cap cooperated. I still have fears until I test the work as the input and output hoses are not screwed in but fit into the end caps with o-rings. I think a third called to Beard Marine is warranted before the big test during the sail up Island.